Jumping Vaccine Queue

We all need to have the vaccine so what’s the problem? It is sensible to vaccinate younger people too as they are the ones working out in the community who are catching and spreading the virus. I would be furious to learn that precious vaccines are being wasted. This idea of jumping the queue is ridiculous.

I think a few people are missing an essential point here; the ones being selected for the vaccine in this first phase are those elderly and vulnerable due to health conditions, so I suspect, by definition they are not people who can just hop over to the surgery as soon as they get a phone call, this is likely why a few are missing their appointments. It does seem like nepotism, but if everyone else in the surgery had been vaccinated, surely it is better than wasting it, and after all, it is going to benefit all of us as more people get vaccinated 'deserving' or not.

Maybe your relative who is the GP may have a further supply left over at the end of the day ......so will you then object if you are offered it ? or say NO....find another more worthy ??? just asking !

Callistemon

^Maybe because she is one of the oldest patients on their list and they should know she hasn't had the vaccine. I thought the idea was to get the very elderly done first^.
But perhaps they weren't to know that she could get to the surgery in five minutes?

As for getting the elderly done first, here the NHS staff and care workers are getting priority and quite right too.

I have no problem with NHS staff and care workers, or others in the front line getting theirs early.

But I assume this practice is in England. The advice in England is the elderly first. And I think that is quite right too.

On our over 80s vaccine day it snowed. It’s a very hilly area, there were no buses or taxis and the roads were really slippy for private cars. Says a lot for the resilience of folk that there was a queue all day long, many of whom had not been out for months. Our 80yr old friend walked down a mile and back up again to get a jab but I wouldn’t be quick to judge this age group for not turning up for many reasons. Glad your sister and family managed to use spare vaccine.

I think if it would have be wasted it was the sensible thing to do .

This happened to a friend who cleans for a lady who’s a GP. She was at the GP’s house nearby and had to be there in 10 minutes. And her two friends next door went as well. I am really glad for my friend! Why do people book then not turn up? (I think maybe you were miffed because you didn’t get rung? It’s very much a last minute thing):

I know a GP who did a day shift at a vaccination centre before Christmas. She told me that at the end of the day lots of people just hadn't turned up for their appointment and consequently vaccine was left over. She then vaccinated people who were driving the ambulances, the nurses and carers of those who were there. I think that seems reasonable and if any finger pointing is to be done it should be at those who didn't turn up.

Larsonsmum

It seems very sad and concerning to me that such a positive thing has 'upset' you.

My thoughts too. I'd be pleased that any vaccine was used rather than thrown away.

Mary62 Are you feeling miffed that you didn't get it but they did?

Maybe because she is one of the oldest patients on their list and they should know she hasn't had the vaccine. I thought the idea was to get the very elderly done first.
But perhaps they weren't to know that she could get to the surgery in five minutes?

As for getting the elderly done first, here the NHS staff and care workers are getting priority and quite right too.

It seems very sad and concerning to me that such a positive thing has 'upset' you.

I'm delighted (and a little bit jealous) for anyone who gets the jab. As far as possible I believe these 'daily spares' are not done indiscriminately and to prevent waste (hallelujah!). However, for 'no shows' I have heard that the appointment letter gives no opportunity for not possible/accepted communication. There can be many legitimate reasons why people are unable to attend. Think I would try ringing my local surgery for advice.

Callistemon

How on earth is the surgery to know that a housebound 96 year old is able to get to the surgery in 5 minutes to take advantage of leftover vaccine?

I hope, when, offered the vaccine, all those who think this is wrong will be phoning in and asking the surgery to offer their place in the queue to someone more deserving.

Maybe because she is one of the oldest patients on their list and they should know she hasn't had the vaccine. I thought the idea was to get the very elderly done first.

Surely if you have been given the initial jab the course should be completed within 12 weeks?

As someone who has been giving vaccines and also been vaccinated( I am 64 ) I know that we are instructed we must not waste any doses.
Each vaccination session has a list of those to be called if there is any left at the end of the session. I got a call at 6 pm one evening. You have to be able to go instantly. The vaccine has a time limit on it . No good ringing someone to come in 3 hours.
The list includes local health and social care workers who would not be in the older group.
Please remember that this is all a huge amount of work for all concerned and no one is taking this lightly.
Once everyone on the list has been contacted then I think it's a good idea to call family if they can come quickly.
Everyone needs to be vaccinated asap. Does it really matter if you are a little below the age group for the session.
Perhaps anxiety about Covid and the stress of this awful situation is making you upset, OP , and you are a bit envious of your sister.
Try to be pleased for them. A few people less to become ill .
Your turn will be soon. Xxxx

Other people jumping the queue www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9136375/Fury-care-home-bosses-boast-having-vaccine-first.html

Jules10 - exactly right. It would not be difficult to compile a list of those most at risk.

Occasionally I had to cancel a GP morning/evening surgery at short notice and it takes a lot of time phoning round. Some people aren’t in. Some of the elderly take a while to answer the phone and are hard of hearing so it takes a while to get the message through. Despite our best efforts there would be a few people who turned up and usually we could squeeze them in with other doctors if necessary.

Having spent an exhausting day vaccinating numerous people. Having to be patient whilst they remove their coat, three cardigans and long sleeved vest/tee shirt the last thing the staff want is to make random phone calls hoping people can drop everything and high tail it down to the surgery at 5 minutes notice.

If there was time perhaps a back up list could be made and kept but again this would need staff to attend to it. People would need to drop whatever they were doing and head for the surgery regardless of the dinner half cooked, the grandchildren possibly being minded, the elderly parent/partner needing attention.

Mamardoit I
“also wonder what will happen when these people are ready for the 2nd dose. Will they get to jump the queue again?”
As I said up thread, I would be accused of Q jumping as spouses of very elderly people were OFFERED and given the jab at the hub we attended before Christmas
I’m 72 husband 86. A we weren’t given apps for second jab. A neighbour rang up and got hers thi. s week , we rang and husband given app for 2 nd with 10 week lapse , I wasn’t allowed.

Perks of the job !

I would be happy to see my sister’s family to have these vaccines. She works as a GP and is at risk of exposing her family to Covid.

Yes you are being unreasonable.

Of course it's a huge strain on family members. My DDil is an intensive care nurse who was vaccinated just after Christmas. I wouldn't expect my 35 year old son to jump the queue just because he is married to her.

My son in law works as security at a vaccine hub but he said to them if any left at end of day could he have it. He had gone home when they called and said they had 2 left so he went back to get it. Also lucky to get 2nd one last Saturday

How on earth is the surgery to know that a housebound 96 year old is able to get to the surgery in 5 minutes to take advantage of leftover vaccine?

I hope, when, offered the vaccine, all those who think this is wrong will be phoning in and asking the surgery to offer their place in the queue to someone more deserving.

You have no idea how many people the surgery rang before giving the vaccine for your sister. It could be that they just couldn't get anybody else there in time. Try not to waste valuable head space feeling resentful. Your turn will come.

As long as vaccines are not being deliberately put by for family members of the Dr's, I can't see a problem. However, it is a huge strain on family members who are vulnerable to infection by virtue of their spouse's profession so I wouldn't mind if they did get vaccinated earlier than other members of the public. It strikes me that it would be one way of repaying NHS workers for their hard work to ensure they and their immediate families were safe.

I think I veer towards the OP's take on this.

Of course no vaccine should go to waste. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if it was just the couple in their 50s/60s but the adult sons would be well down the list.

My 96 year old aunt hasn't been vaccinated. She is house bound and is 5 mins drive from our surgery. If I thought this had happen there I would be very angry. Maybe the surgery in question is one of the fortunate ones that has had plenty of doses and everyone like my aunt is covered.

I also wonder what will happen when these people are ready for the 2nd dose. Will they get to jump the queue again?